SaraTone

Artist Information

Biography

Music is indescribable, thats why we make music to express what we can't describe in words.
SaraTone's music comes out in many different ways. Sometimes its all acoustic, with a powerful voice and deep lyrics accompanied by Guitar and Hand Drum. SaraTone brings the big messages, dealing with the reality that humans are in the midst of. Her songs offer a new perspective and a sense of peace in the midst of the craziness. Her style is self dubbed Gospel Folk-Hop, because it is of the folk, its music of and for the people. She is a product of 20th century music so there is no denying the hip-hop and pop based influence. But at the same time SaraTone brings a sense of depth that is timeless and ageless rooted in a Tribal sound that is Global. Her lyrical and rhythmic variations are pure testimony.Sara's acoustic music is being more influenced by devotional music, especially Indian Kirtan and African Gospel. SaraTone is merging many styles with humble intentions of celebrating creation through music and expression...music to dance to, music to sing out with, music that creates a connection and sense of community CON UNITY!!

In other realms, the ability to plug in is key. SaraTone's electronic music is based in a self described genre- Mystical Dub. Based in Organically Grown samples, Looped, Dubbed out with Delay, Reverb and a Mixing Board, add Live Vocals, Flute and whatever other instrument the universe has put in her hands in that moment, all with the steadiness of a guided rhythmic meditation... "this is Mystical Dub. It's Deep, its Live and never the same".

In the last year, she was honored to play at and help open the first Sacred Arts Fest Beloved. Which included a live promo on the air with DJ Robyn Shanti on KBOO's weekly show The Dharma Wheel, playing samples from her Acoustic set.
In January '08, SaraTone released her first self produced CD, Acoustic Mystical Earth Dub, highlighting both Acoustic Originals and a 35 minute meditation 'Mystical Earth Dub". The extended length piece was recently featured and broadcast online at Portland Radio Authority, for a late night set with DJ Duff.

SaraTone explains, "Out of all the music I am called to play, ultimately I am a singer. I have been singing my whole life and I can't imagine life without. Music is the realm of imagination and voice is my guide."
SaraTone continues to study the great vocal music of North India, a style of Raga called Khyal, which means 'flight of the imagination'. She studies with friend and teacher Michael Stirling, who is passing the Celestial Music of his teacher and guru, Pandit Pran Nath. As Nietzsche said, "Life without music is a mistake".

Instrumentation

Sara Tone- Vocals, Harmonies, Guitar, Wood Flutes, Hand Percussion and Drums, Dub Effects...the Mixing Board, any instrument that comes my way....

(Ensemble members for festival and "band"gigs)

Mike Garcia-Drum Kit, SPD, Percussion, Synthesizer and Big Vibes.

Matt Bass-son obvio, no?

Samantha Black-Cello

Alysha Ma- Voice Paint Big Vibes and Smiles

Discography

"Acoustic Mystical Earth Dub'" (2008-Dub Fort)

Live Dance to "Like This" performed by Habiba in a Multimedia Piece "Octavity" by Helen Hill at Portland Village Building Convergence (May 2008)

Mystical Earth Dub (35 min), Streamed Live by DJ Duff on Portland Media Radio (February 2008)

Voice for 'Transition' Original Score by Paul Taylor for Film Mother Touch By Leslie Piper (July 2008)

Beloved Promo Live On-Air With DJ Robyn Shanti
KBOO Portland Alternative Radio (August 2008)

Audio

• May We All
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• Sweet Music
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• Like This
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• Swimmin through the Air
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Lyrics

• May We All
• Sweet Music
• Like This
• Swimmin through the Air

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

Setlist

My acoustic set is about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours,
I play all my originals from the CD; but my live set is different from the CD in that live I like to make it interactive, hence...Neo Kirtan Folk Hop, with a twist of Gospel. I Accompany myself with drum and
guitar respectively, leading multicultural songs that can be sung together as a group including;
1. Siyahamba- Swahili gospel form Kenya
2. Mishra Kafi- N. Indian Raga
w/ Jai Ram Sita Ram chant
3. Somagwaza- South African Choral piece
4. The Earth is our Mother- Earth Chant
5. Mama Earth Wind Waves Water Sky- OG Chant
6. Ganesha Sharanam- Popular Kirtan
7. Gopala, Devakinandana Gopala- Popular Kirtan

Songs form the CD include;
(* represents songs that have specific sing along parts)
1. Like This
2. Mystical Path
3. May We All*
4. Swimmin through the Air*
5. Sunny the Sea Turtle
6. Sweet Music*
7. Inspiration
Originals Not on CD
8. Cloud Song*
9. Serpent Song (Unlock the Locks)*
10. In this Orbit
Also, a few covers depending on the crowd, including my versions of;
8. Sesame Street Theme Song*
9. Bullet in Your Head- Rage Against the Machine
10. Redemption Song- Bob Marley
11. The Garden Song*- Peter, Paul and Mary
13. You are My Sunshine- Louisiana State Song
14. 3 Little Birds- Bob Marley

My Electronic Set can be as short or long as needed, preferably 45 minutes minimum but sometimes shorter for particular prayerformances.
In a 45 minute set, I usually gravitate around 5-6 main themes with live vocals and on the spot loop creation, each theme is essentially a song with a point but how I get from each point in the multiplicity of Dub...is the Dub, Mystically.
Dub Themes including sampled instrumentation;
1. May the Heart; Guitar, Mardal, Vocal Harmonies
2. India Beat; Tambura, Doumbek, Surdo
3. Like This; Piano, Kit, Vocal Harmonies
4. Seed of Ascension; Kora, Darbuka, Kit
5. Grow Your Own; Harmonium Drone, Kit
6. In this Orbit; Guitar, Kit
7. OM MystiDub; Tabla, Kit, Keyboard

Basic Requirements

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